BBC orders a full series of Dreaming Whilst Black | Following the success of Adjani Salmon's pilot © Big Deal Films

BBC orders a full series of Dreaming Whilst Black

Following the success of Adjani Salmon's pilot

The BBC is to make a full six-part series of Dreaming Whilst Black, following the success of a pilot last year.

The comedy comes from up-and-coming film-maker Adjani Salmon and is based on the semi-autobiographical web series of the same name released four years ago.

The pilot won Salmon a Bafta Craft Award for emerging talent and the Royal Television Society's  Breakthrough Award this year,  among other accolades.

Salmon  said: ‘When we made the web series we wanted to be "di bes ting pon di intanet." With all the support we now have, we want to make "di bes ting pon BBC TV".’

The BBC’s head of comedy, Tanya Qureshi, said: ‘We are sure it won’t come as a surprise that BBC Comedy wanted to take this wonderful project to series. Its success and recognition speaks for itself.’

Loosely inspired by real life events, Dreaming Whilst Black follows broke, aspiring filmmaker Kwabena (Salmon) in and out of reality as he tries to make it big, against the wishes of his Jamaican family who wishes he was an accountant.

Executive producer Dhanny Joshi, of programme-makers Big Deal Films, said: ‘The response we’ve received from audiences who continue to discover the Dreaming Whilst Black pilot is one of the most deeply rewarding experiences we’ve shared. To hear viewers express how the show made them "feel seen" has been inspirational.’

The full series of Dreaming Whilst Black – which will be co-produced by global entertainment company A24 –  will be broadcast on BBC Three and iPlayer next year. Full casting has yet to be announced.

» Chortle’s review of the Dreaming Whilst Black pilot

Here is the trailer for the original web series:

Dreaming Whilst Black production credits

Created by: Adjani Salmon, Max Evans, Laura de Sousa Seixas and Natasha Jatania
Based on the original web series written by: Adjani Salmon and Ali Hughes
Commissioned by: Jon Petrie, director of comedy commissioning at the BBC and Fiona Campbell, controller BBC Three.
Executive producers: Dhanny Joshi, Thomas Stogdon and Adjani Salmon
Directed by: Jermain Julien and Joelle Mae David
Produced by: Nicola Gregory.
Commissioning editor: Tanya Qureshi.

Published: 27 Sep 2022

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